The Ivory Coast centre-back endured a regrettable day at Old Trafford on his first Premier League appearance of the season
Former Manchester City winger Trevor Sinclair and ex-Manchester United assistant coach Steve McClaren have criticised Eric Bailly for scoring an own goal in Saturday’s derby.
Bailly put the ball into the back of his own net in the seventh minute to give City the lead in their 2-0 victory at Old Trafford.
It was the first time an own goal was scored in the Manchester derby in the Premier League era, and it came on his first league outing for the Red Devils this season.
After the defeat, Sinclair called out the Ivorian defender for his positioning that deflected Cancelo’s cross and he described him as a ‘rash’ player.
“What is Bailly doing? That is poor defending,” Sinclair told TalkSport.
“If you can’t divert it away from goal, don’t touch the ball! See if you can let it run.
“We’re not surprised, are we? He’s a rash defender and he seems like he’s always got a mistake in him and he’s got it out the way early.
“You can’t teach an old dog new tricks and the ship has sailed for Bailly. He’ll never be the composed defender Man United need.”
McClaren who was an assistant to Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United from 1999 to 2001, also blamed Bailly for Bernardo Silva’s goal that doubled Man City’s lead in the 45th minute.
He faulted the former Villarreal defender for making mistakes while trying to do his job at the back.
The 27-year-old centre-back was later replaced before the start of the second half as United struggled to fight back from the two-goal deficit.
“Bailly on both occasions is the culprit. Mistakes, bad, bad defending,” McClaren said. “Gundogan gets in front of him for the first Walker cross and should’ve scored.
“The second? He has a chance redeem to himself and he doesn’t.
“They are wicked crosses in and very difficult to defend, yes. Those are the mistakes he keeps making and it’s costing goals.”
Manchester United have now lost back-to-back Premier League home games and they are fifth on the league table with 17 points after 11 matches, nine points behind leaders Chelsea.
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